At approximately 2 p.m., workers connected the last of the 102 pieces of track, closing the 4,164-foot loop.

"GateKeeper is truly an innovation in thrills," said Rob Decker, Cedar Fair's corporate vice president of planning and design. "Every twist, turn and near-miss element was created exclusively for Cedar Point, and we can't wait to see our guests experience it."

Decker and the Cedar Fair design team worked closely with other engineers to develop the concept of the signature keyhole towers that give the ride its identity as protector of Cedar Point's main gate.

"This project has truly been a collaborative effort," said August Lococo, project manager and corporate director of maintenance and compliance for Cedar Fair. "Our crews worked six days a week through rain, snow and freezing temperatures, and we're pleased to have completed the track ahead of schedule."

Riders will enjoy the sensation of flight as they climb the 170-foot lift hill along the beach, then charge toward the main gate at speeds up to 67 mph. Their seats will be suspended from the car, allowing them to soar with nothing above or below them. Throughout the 2-minute, 40-second adventure, they'll undergo six spine-tingling inversions and roll through the two keyholes, flying directly over the approximately 3 million guests who enter the park each year.

The new ride and major renovations to Cedar Point's main gate represent a total investment of $30 million. With the addition of GateKeeper, Cedar Point will break seven world records, including tallest drop, longest track and most inversions of any winged coaster on the planet. The new coaster will take its place alongside other record-setting legends like Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster at the vacation destination named "Best Amusement Park in the World" by Amusement Today for the past 15 years.